July 27

, 2015

Exemption No. 12156 Regulatory Docket No. FAA

– 2015

- 1673

Mr. David M. Garrett Aerial Sciences Corporation 5901 East Lippizan Way Hereford, AZ 85615

Dear Mr. Garrett :

This letter is to inform you that we have granted your request for exemption. It transmits our decision, explains its basis, an d gives you the conditions and limitations of the exemption, including the date it ends.

By letter dated May 4, 2015 , you petitioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on

behalf of Aerial Sciences Corporation ( hereinafter petitioner or operator ) for an exemption

. The petitioner requested to operate an unmanned ai rcraft system (UAS) to conduct aerial survey, inspection, imaging, search and rescue, and training 1

.

See Appendix A for the petition submitted to the FAA des cribing the proposed operatio ns and

the regulations that the petitioner seeks an exemption

.

The FAA has determined that good cause exists for not publishing a summary of the petition in the Federal Register because the requested exemption would not set a precedent, and any delay in acting on this petition would be detrimental to the petitioner

.

1 The petitioner requested authority to conduct UAS training. At this time, the FAA is unable to authorize UAS operations for training until a further assessment is completed. When the FAA completes its review, we will proceed accordingly and no further action will be required by the petitioner. However, the petitioner is permitted to train its own pilot in commands and visual observers in accordance with condition no. 14 and the other conditions and limitations in this exemption.2

Airworthiness Certification

The UAS proposed by the petitioner are the AR

- 960 and AR

- 540

.

The petitioner requested relief from 14 CFR part 21, C ertification procedures for products

and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates

. In accordance with the statutory criteria provided in Section 333 of P ublic Law 112

− 95 in reference to 49 U

. S

. C

. § 44704, and in consideration of the size, weight, speed, and limited operating area associated with the

aircraft and its operation, the Secretary of Transportation has determined that this aircraft

meets the conditions of Section 333. Therefore, the FAA fi nds that the requested relief from

14 CFR part 21

, C ertification procedures for products and parts, Subpart H

— Airworthiness Certificates , and any associated noise certification and testing requirements of part 36, is

not necessary.

The Basis for Our Decision

You have requested to use a UAS for aerial data collection 2

. The FAA has issued grants of exemption in circumstances similar in all material respects to those presented in your petition. In Grants of Exemption No s

. 11062 to Astraeus Aerial ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0352), 11109 to Clayco, Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA

− 2014

− 0507), 11112 to VDOS Global, LLC ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0382), and 11213 to Aeryon Lab s , Inc. ( see Docket No. FAA−2014−0642), the FAA found that the enhanced safety achieved using an unmanned aircraft (UA) with the specifications described by the petitioner and carrying no passengers or crew, rather than a manned aircraft of significantly greater propo rtions, carrying crew in addition to flammable fuel, gives the FAA good cause to find that the UAS operation enabled by this exemption is in the public interest.

Having reviewed your reasons for requesting an exemption, I find that

—

 They are similar in a ll material respects to relief previously requested in Grant of Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and 11213 ;

 The reasons stated by the FAA for granting Exemption Nos. 11062, 11109, 11112, and

11213 also apply to the situation you present; and

 A grant of exemption is in the public interest.

2 Aerial data collection incl udes any remote sensing and measuring by an instrument(s) aboard the UA. Examples include imagery (photography, video, infrared, etc.), electronic measurement (precision surveying, RF analysis, etc.), chemical measurement (particulate measurement, etc.), or any other gathering of data by

instruments aboard the UA.3

Our Decision

In consideration of the foregoing, I find that a grant of exemption is in the public interest. Therefore, pursuant to the authority contained in 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, and 44701, delegated to me by th e Administrator, Aerial Sciences Corporation is granted an exemption

from 14 CFR §§ 61.23(a) and ( c ), 61.101(e)(4 ) and (5), 61.113(a), 61.315(a) , 91.7(a), 91.119(c), 91.121, 91.151(a)(1), 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(1) and (2), and 91.417(a) and (b) , to the extent necessary to allow the petitioner to operate a UAS to perform aerial data

collection

. This exemption is subject to the conditions and limitations listed below.

Conditions and Limitations

In this grant of exemption, Aerial Sciences Corporation is hereafter referred to as the operator.

Failure to comply with any of the conditions and limitations of this grant of exemption will be grounds for the immediate suspension or rescission of this exemption.

1. Operations authorized by this grant of exemption are limited to the AR

- 960 and AR

540 when weighing less than 55 pounds including payload. Proposed operations of any other aircraft will require a new petition or a petition to amend this exemption

.

2. Operat ions for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming are

not permitted.

3. The UA may not be operated at a speed exceeding 87 knots (100 miles per hour). The exemption holder may use either groundspeed or calibrated airspeed to determin e compliance with the 87 knot speed restriction. In no case will the UA be operated at airspeeds greater than the maximum UA operating airspeed recommended by the

aircraft manufacturer.

4. The UA must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL). Altitude must be reported in feet AGL.

5. The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than

corrective le nses, as specified on the PIC’s FAA

- issued airman medical certificate or

U.S. driver’s license.

6. All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to communicate verbally at all times ;

e lectronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight operations. The PIC

must be de signated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her designation for the4

duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the duties required of the VO.

7. This exemption and all documents needed to operate the UAS and conduct its

op erations in accordance with the conditions and limitations stated in this grant of exemption, are hereinafter referred to as the operating documents. The operating

documents must be accessible during UAS operations and made available to the

Administrator upon request. If a discrepancy exists between the conditions and limitations in this exemption and the procedures outlined in the operating documents, the conditions and limitations herein take precedence and must be followed. Otherwise, the operator mus t follow the procedures as outlined in its operating documents. The operator may update or revise its operating documents. It is the operator’s responsibility to track such revisions and present updated and revised documents to the Administrator or any l aw enforcement official upon request. The operator must also present updated and revised documents if it petitions for extension or amendment to this grant of exemption. If the operator determines that any update or revision would affect the basis upon which the FAA granted this exemption, then the operator must petition for an amendment to its grant of exemption. The FA A’s UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) may be contacted if questions arise regarding updates or revisions to the operating documents.

8. Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight characteristics, e.g.

, replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and must remain at

least 500 feet from other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

9. The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.

10. Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre

- flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a condition for safe flight. The pre

- flight inspe ction must account for all potential discrepancies, e.g.

, inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the necessary maintenan ce has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight.

11. The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, and life limit requirements for the aircraft and

aircraft components.

12. Each UA S operated under this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.5

13. Under this grant of exemption, a PIC must hold either an airline transport, commercial, private, recreational, or sport pilot certificate. The PIC must also hold a

curren t FAA airman medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver’s license issued by a state, the District of Col u mbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government. The PIC must also meet the flight revi ew requirements specified in

14 CFR § 6 1.56 in an aircraft in which the PIC is rated on his or her pilot certificate.

14. The operator may not permit any PIC to operate unless the PIC demonstrates the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures. PIC qualification flight hours and currency must be logged in a manner consistent with

14 CFR § 61.51(b). Flig hts for the purposes of training the operator’s PICs and VOs (traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building) and determining the PIC’s ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner consistent with how the UAS will be operated under this exemption are perm itted under the terms of this exemption. However, training operations may only be conducted during dedicated training sessions. During

traini ng, proficiency, and experience

- building flights, all persons not essential for flight operations are considered nonparticipants, and the PIC must operate the UA with appropriate distance from nonparticipants in accordance with 14 CFR § 91.119.

15. UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules (SVFR) are not authorized.

16. The UA may not operate within 5 nautical miles of an airport reference point (ARP) as

denoted in the curre nt FAA Airport/Facility Directory (AFD) or for airports not denoted with an ARP, the center of the airport symbo l as denoted on the current

FAA

- published aeronautical chart, unless a letter of agreement with that airport’s management is obtained or otherwi se permitted by a COA issued to the exemption holder. The letter of agreement with the airport management must be made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

17. The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

18. If the UAS loses communications or loses its GPS sign al, the UA must return to a

pre

- determined location within the pr ivate or controlled

- access property.

19. The PIC must abort the flight in the event of unpredicted obstacles or emergencies.

20. The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct th e6

intended operation and to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the manufacturer if greater.

21. Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA). All operations shall be cond ucted in accordance with an ATO

- issued COA. The exemption holder may apply for a new or amended COA if it intends to conduct operations that cannot be conducted under the terms of the attached COA

.

22. All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must b e identified by serial number, registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N− Number) markings in accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

23. Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating.

These documents must be made available to the Adminis trator or any law enforcement official upon request.

24. The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aviation operations and

activities at all times.

25. The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

26. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless:

a. Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons

from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. T he operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating persons ; and

b. The owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard.

The PIC, VO, operator trainees or essential persons are not considered nonparticipating persons under this exemption.

27. All operations shall be conducted over private or control led

- access property wi th permission from the property owner/controller or authorized representative. Permission from property owner/controller or authorized representative will be obtained for each flight to be conducted.7

28. Any incident, accident, or flight operation that transgresses the lateral or vertical boundaries of the operational area as defined by the applicable COA must be reported

to the FA A's UAS Integration Office (AFS− 80) within 24 hours. Accidents must be reported to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) per instructions

contained on the NTSB Web site: www.ntsb.gov

.

If this exemption permits operations for the purpose of closed

- set motion picture and television filming and production, the following additional con ditions and limitations apply.

29. The operator must have a motion picture and television operations manual (MPTOM) as documented in this grant of exemption.

30. At least 3 days before aerial filming, the operator of the UAS affected by this exemption must submi t a written Plan of Activities to the local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) with jurisdiction over the a rea of proposed filming. The 3

- day notification may be waived with the concurrence of the FSDO. The plan of activities

must include at least t he following:

a. Dates and times for all flights;

b. Name and phone number of the operator for the UAS aerial filming conducted under this grant of exemption;

c. Name and phone number of th e person responsible for the on

- scene operation of the UAS;

d. Make, model, and serial or N− Number of UAS to be used;

e. Name and certificate number of UAS PICs involved in the aerial filming;

f. A statement that the operator has obtained permission from property owners and/or local officials to conduct the filming production event; the li st of those who gave permission must be made available to the inspector upon request;

g. Signature of exemption holder or representative; and

h. A description of the flight activity, including maps or diagrams of any area, city, town, county, and/or state over w hich filming will be conducted and the altitudes essential to accomplish the operation.

31. Flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet from participating persons consenting to be involved and necessary for the filming production, as specified in the exemption holder’s MPTOM.

Unless otherwise specified in this grant of exemption, the UAS, the UAS PIC, and the UAS operations must comply with all applicable parts of 14 CFR including, but not limited to,

parts 45, 47, 61, and 91.8

This exemption te rminates on July 31, 2017 , unless sooner superseded or rescinded.

Sincerely,

/ s/

John S. Duncan Director, Flight Standards Service

Enclosures1 May 4 , 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations West Building Ground Floor, Room W12

- 140 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590

Re: Exemption Request ; Section 333 of the FAA Modernization & Reform

Act and Part 11 of the Fe deral Aviation Regulations from 14 C.F.R. Part 21; 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a)&(b); 91.7(a); 91.9(b) (2); 91.103 ; 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203(a)&(b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a)&(b)

Dear Sir or Madam,

Purs uant to Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (“Reform Act”) and 14 C.F.R. 11, Aerial Sciences Corporation (“Petitioner”) hereby applies for an exemption from Federal Aviation Regulations (“FARs”)

to allow commercial operation of smal l un manned aircraft systems (“sUAS”) in airspace regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) for use in a variety of commercial applications so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions outlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section 333.

As described more fully below, the requested exemption would permit the
commercial operation of sUAS under con t r olled conditions in airspace that is : 1) limited; 2) predetermined ; and, 3 ) controlled as to access. The exemption
would also provide safety enhancements to the safe operations currently performed by those presently using conventional manned aircraft. Approval of this exemption would thereby enhance safety and fulfill the Secretary of Transporta tion’s (the FAA Administrator’s) responsibilities to “

... .establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft systems in the national airspace system.” Section 333(c) of the Reform Act.

1. Name and A ddress of the Petitioner

Aerial Sciences Corpo ration

Attn: David M. Garrett 5901 E. Lippizan Way Hereford, AZ 85615

Tel: 520.227.1865

Email: david.garrett@msn.com2 2. Company Background

Aerial Sciences C orporation based in Arizona intends to provide so lutions supporting development and application of Unmanned Aircraft Systems to satisfy Government and C ommer c i al needs. Following approval of th is exemption request would enable Aerial Sciences the use of our sUAS to conduct operations within a variety of industry and business applications such

as A erial Survey/Inspection and Imaging, Agricultural, Forestry, Wildlife Preservation, Law Enforcement, and Search and Rescue, and Training so long as such operations are conducted within and under the conditions

ou tlined herein or as may be established by the FAA as required by Section

333.

Petitioner is staffed with personnel who hold Airline Transport Pilot (ATP), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

– Instrument (CFII), Commercial, Instrument,

and Private Pilot ra tings, Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Licenses . The
Petitioner has extensive experience in UAS flight/payload operations, training

, and maintenance of UAS for the US Army.

This airma n

, and UAS knowledge and experience will be leveraged to

maintain and e nhance user and public safety throughout all aspects of unmanned aircraft (UA) ground and flight operations conducted by Aerial
Sciences upon approval of this exemption request.

3. Regulations fro m which the exemption is requested , If such regula tions a pply to sUASs.

14 C

. F

. R

. P a r t 21;

14 C

. F

. R

. 4 5

. 23 ( b ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 6 1

. 113 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 7 ( a ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 9 ( b )( 2 ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 103 ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 109;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 119;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 121;

14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 151 ( a ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 203 ( a ) & ( b ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 4 05 ( a ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 407 ( a )( 1 ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 409 ( a )( 2 ) ; 14 C

. F

. R

. 9 1

. 417 ( a ) & (b)

.

4. Statutory Authority for Exemptions

The Federal Aviation Act expressly grants the FAA authority to issue3 exemptions . This statutory authority includes civil aircraft as the term is
defined under §40101 of the Act, including sUASs, from the requirement that

all civil aircraft must have a current airworthiness certificate.

The Administrator may grant an exemption from a requirement of a regulation prescribed under subse ction (a) or (b) of this section or any sections 44702

- 44716 of this title if the Administrator finds the exemption in the public interest. 49 USC §44701(f). See also 49 USC §44711(a); 49 USC §44704;

14 CFR §91.203(a)(1).

Section 333(b) o f the Reform Act assists the Secret ary in determining whether sUAS may operate in th e National Airspace System (NAS) without creating a hazard to the user, the public, or pose a threat to national security. In making this determination the Secretary must consider:

• T he sUAS’s size, weight, speed, and operational capability;

• Whether the sUAS operates within visual line of sight of the operator;

• Operation of the sUAS in close proximity to airports and populated

areas.

Lastly, if the Secretary determines that such vehicles “may operate safely in the national airspace system, the Secretary shall establish requirements for the safe operation of such aircraft in t h e national airspace system.” Id. §33 3( c).

5. Secondary Documentation (Proprietary)

The following secondary documen tation is provided for reference as supplemental information pertaining to this Petition:

1. ASC

- sUAS Flight Standards

2. ASC

- Preflight Inspection & Operations Check List

3. AR

- 960 sUAS Manual

4. AR

- 540 sUAS Manual

These documents will be retained at the ground c ontrol point accessible by the pilot in command (PIC).

6. Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Aerial Sciences Corporation designs and pur p ose builds it s sUAS for mission specific applications utilizing commercially available airframes, flight controllers, electronic s, and components. They ar e multi rotor equipped
aircraft 1.5 meter in diameter or less, and less than 55 pounds in weight including payload. They op erate at a speed of no more than 50 knots and have the ability to hover, and move in the vertical and horiz ontal plane simultaneously. They are equipped with GPS Flight C ontrollers and data link4 communications capability for operator control via ground control station or
hand radio transmitter contr ollers and have battery

- limited flight duration of

less than o ne hour. The GPS Flight C ontr oller can be programmed to limit flight duration with auto

- land functions, and limits for flight distance and above ground level (AGL) altitude, and have return

- to

- home , loiter, and predetermined landing location functions in the event of lost data link

communications or flight anomalies. Operating within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC and visual o bserver (VO) at no more than 500 feet AGL and will operate only within the areas described he rein. Such operations will

e nsure that the sUAS will not create a hazard to users of the NAS or the public as described in the FMRA §333(b).

Aerial Sciences proposes within this petition the use of t wo different sUAS platforms, AR

- 960 and AR

- 540

, to support varied mission, payloa d configurations

, and training purposes

-- see provided supplemental Manuals
for each. General s pecifications are as follows:

• AR

- 960 Hex /Octo Rotor :

Airframe: Carbon Fiber

– 960mm Diameter (extendable to 1.5M) Weight: 35 pounds (maximum with payload ) Propulsion: Six to Eight, 300

- 400KV Electric Motors (configurable) Propellers: Carbon Fiber 14”

– 20 ”

Power: 22.2 Volt, (6S) Lithium

- Polymer batteries

– Dual/Redundant Speed: 0

- 45 knots Flight Time: 50 minutes Autopilot: GPS Flight Controller/Auto pilot

Dat a Link: FCC approved 2.4 GHz

Video: FCC approved 5.8 G Hz Telemetry: Voltage, Current, Altitude, GPS Lat/Long, Ground Speed

• AR

- 540 Quad Rotor:

Airframe: Composite/Aluminum

– 540mm Diameter (extendable to 1 Meter) Weight: 15 pounds (maximum with payload) Propulsion: Four

, 400

- 740KV Electric Motors (congfigurable) Propellers: Carbon Fiber 11”

– 18 ”

Power: 14.8 Volt

- 22.2 Volt (4S /6S ) Lithium

- Polymer batteries Speed: 0

- 45 knots Flight Time: 6 0 minutes Autopilot: GPS Flight Controller/A utopilot
Data Link: FCC approved 2.4 GHz

Video: FCC approved 5.8 G Hz Telemetry: Voltage, Current, Altitude, GPS Lat/Long, Ground Speed

Aerial Sciences maintains a maintenance log book for each sUAS that5 docum ents maintenance history. In addition to PI C pre

- flight inspections conducted before each flight our FAA licensed A&P personnel conduct annual aircraft inspection and maintenance checks. This includes review of system and telemetry data files logged from prior flights, inspection for loose or worn components, balancing of props, cleaning of motors, battery voltage and cell balancing checks, etc., and performing any needed system repair and upgrades to include software/firmware for the GPS, Flight Controller/Autopilot, Radio Transmitter, and Ground Control Station. All scheduled or unscheduled maintenance and repair actions are documented within the sUAS maintenance log book. Upon completion of any repair, modification or upgrade, the aircraft is test flown by a qualified PIC and documented within
the maintenance log book prior to return to service.

7

. Operation of the Unmanned Aircraft

The PIC will be an FAA licensed airman with at least a private pilot’s certificate and third class medical. Additionally, the PIC will have a minimum
of 10 hours sUAS multirotor experience of which at least 5 hours are with the specific make/model sUAS to be operated ( AR

- 960

, AR

- 540 ), per the Aerial
Sciences sUAS Flight Standards document

.

Training of PICs who do not meet the sUAS multirotor experience will be

ga ined within dedicated training sessions throu gh use of a multirotor computer simulator (ground training) and the sUAS platform ( s ) (logged flight time) as requested through this exemption. Upon meeting the sUAS flight hour requirements , logged in a consist ent manner per 14 CFR § 61.5(b), a flight proficiency check will be conducted by a Aerial Sciences FAA rated CFI prior to allowing a PIC to conduct flight operations. Flight currency will be maintained by the PIC having logged 30 minutes flight time within the proceeding 90 days with the specific make/model UAS platform. Regaining currency will be achieved in dedicated training/currency sessions. In addition to flight proficiency, the PIC will be trained in use of the radio control transmitter, ground cont rol station, pre

- flight inspection of the sUAS, and operational procedures per Aerial Sciences sUAS Flight Standards document paraphrased as follows

.

Minimum crew for each flight operation will consist of the sUAS PIC and Visual Observer (VO). Flights wi ll be conducted within VLOS of the PIC at all
times with VO duties assisting PIC in maintaining VLOS and situational

aware ness of obstructions, hazards and avoiding other aircraft

. Communication between the PIC and VO will be maintained through direct
voi ce communications and/or through use of two

- way radio or cell phone throughout the duration of flight.

Prior to each flight the PIC will conduct a thorough pre

- flight inspection , per the Aerial Sciences Preflight and Operations Checklist, to ensure the sUA S i s in safe condition for flight. The pre

- flight will include physical inspection of6 components, battery voltage level checks, motor run

- up, payload system, ground control station and communications checks in preparation of flight. If the inspection rev e als a condition that prohibits safe operation, the PIC will
remove the aircraft from service until the necessary maintenance has been performed and documented and the s UAS is found to be in a condition for safe flight

.

The PIC will conduct pre

- flight pla nning to include obtaining weather briefings, identifying hazards and obstructions, and establishing predetermined mission flight path and limited and controlled area for safe operation

. The Petitioner will submit to the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) a C ertificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) prior to conducting any flight operations. The Petitioner will request a Notice to Airman (NOTAM) not more than 72 hours in advance, but not less than 48 hours prior to the operation.

All flight operations will be conducted within a limited area that is strictly
controlled over private or controlled

- access property with permission from the

land owner or their authorized representative for each flight to be conducted. The PIC will conduct pre

- flight safety briefi ngs with all personnel supporting flight activities in regard to the planned sUAS operations and mission plan prior to each flight. Flight operations will typically be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating flight operation people, vessels, vehicles, and structures unless there are barriers or structures that safely protects nonparticipating per sons in event of accident. In the event nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the sUAS, the PIC

will immediately cease flight operations

. Additionally, if owner of vessels, vehicles, or structures provides permission and the PIC determines safe operations can be conducted with undue risk to operating pers onnel then flight operations may be conducted closer than 500 feet.

Aerial Sciences will not conduct f light operations over congested or densely populated areas, or within 5 miles of an airport unless a letter of agreement is obtained from the airport management and per NOTAM. All f lights will be

conducted under v isual meteorological conditi ons (VMC) during daylight hours, at less than 50 knots airspeed and an altitud e no greater than 500 feet AGL, and will not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud or when visibility is less tha n 3 statute miles from the

PIC. Maximum flight time for each operational flight will be 4 0 minutes and allowing for no less than 20 % battery as indicated by real

- time telemetry voltage/current data relayed by the aircraft sensors to the PIC co ntrol station.

In event the PIC losses data link communicati ons, the GPS equipped sUAS have the capability to return to a pre

- determined location and land and provides the PIC capability to abort flight and initiate loiter and return

- to

- home
functions. If an in

- flight emergency occurs, the PIC will immediately abort flight and initiate landing procedures.7 By adhering to these operational procedures

, Aerial Sciences , will achieve a safety level equivalent to, or greater than that

, directed by the rules in which they seek exemption. sUAS are inherently safer in all facets due to the fact they are much smaller, fly at much slower speeds, have no human operators or occupants on board and no flammable fuels to be concerned of in event of crash. As sUAS proce sses are further refined, and commercial flight experience gained, the operations will serve to enhance an already higher
level o f safety compared to manned flight operations in which serves the public’s best interest in the FAA’s pursuit to integrate UAS into the NAS.

Du e to the small size of the sUAS involved, ability of the PIC to control and set flight parameters, and the controlled and limited environment in which they will operate, the Petitioner falls squarely within that zone of safety (an equivalen t level of safety) in which Congress envisioned that the FAA must, by exemption, allow comm ercial operations of sUAS to commence immediately. Additionally, due to the Private Pilot rating of the PIC, the size of the sUASs, limited payload capacity and fli ght durations, the use of batteries versus flammable fuels, and the limited and tightly controlled areas in which the sUASs will operate, approval of the application presents no national security issue.

Given the clear direction in FRMA §333, the authority contained in the Federal Aviation Act, as amended, the strong equivalent level of safety surrounding the proposed operations, and the significant public benefit, including enhanced safety, reduction in environmental impacts due to battery operation, and r educed costs of sUAS aircraft assets as compared to conventional aircraft, the grant of the requested exemptions is in the public interest. Accordingly, Aerial Sciences respectfully requests that the FAA grant the requested exemption without delay.

8

. De scription of Specific Regulations

Pursuant to 14 C.F.R. § 11.81(e), Aerial Sciences seeks exemption from the below mentioned regulations and provides reason as to why the exemption should be approved based on the level of safety at least equal to that of which the rules require.

• 14 C.F.R. Part 21 Subpart H

– Airworthiness Certificates

Ø Establishes: The procedural requirements for the issuance of airworthiness certificates as required by 14 C.F.R. § 91.203(a)(1)

Given the small size of the s UAS, the contro lled operating areas

, limitations and conditions Aerial Sciences will adhere to during flight operations, an exemption from Part 21 Subpart H meets the requirements of an equivalent level of safety under Part 11 and Section
333 of the “Reform Act” with con sideration “of the size, weight, speed,8 operational capability, and proximity to airports and populated areas of the particular UAS.”

• 14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b)

– Aircraft Marking and Identification Requirements

Ø 14 C.F.R. § 45.23(b) , Markings of the Aircraft, states: When marks include only the Roman capital letter "N" and the registration number is displayed on limited, restricted or light

sport category aircraft or experimental or provisionally certificated aircraft, the operator must also display on that

ai

rcraft near each entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station, in letters not less than 2 inches nor more than 6 inches high, the words "limited," "restricted," "light

- sport, "experimental," or "provisional," as applicable.

The sUAS to be flown by Aer ial Sciences have no airworthiness certificate, an exemption may be needed as the sUAS have no entrance to the cabin, cockpit, or pilot station on which the word “Experimental” can be placed. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation t o Exemptions Nos. 10700, 8738, 10167

and 10167A.

• 14 C.F.R. § 61.113(a) and (b): Private Pilot Privileges and

Limitations: Pilot in Command

Ø Sections 61.113 (a) and (b) limit private pilots to non

commercial operations.

Because the sUAS will not carry a pilot or passengers, the proposed operations can achieve the equivalent level of safety of current operations by requiring the PIC operating the aircraft to have a private pilot’s license rather than a commercial pilot’s license to operate a
sUAS. Unlike a conventional manned aircraft, a sUAS is remotely controlled by a ground

- based operator. The operational area is controlled and restricted, and all flights are planned and coordinated in advance. The level of safety exceeds that provided by a single

indiv idual holding a commercial pilot’s certificate operating a

conventional aircraft. The risks associated with the use of a sUAS are
so diminished from the level of risk associated with commercial operations contemplated by Part 61 allowing sUAS use by a priv ate pilot as the PIC exceeds the present level of safety sought by 14 C.F.R. §61.113 (a) and (b).

• 14 C.F.R. 91.7(a)

– Civil Aircraft Airworthiness

Ø No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy

condition.9 There is no airworthiness ce rti ficate for the sUAS to be operated by
Aerial Sciences . To provide an equivalent level of safety

, th e PIC will conduct pre

- flight inspections to ensure airworthiness. During flight, the PIC will adhere to § 91.7(b) and abort air operations immediate ly upon identification of an in

- flight anomaly or emergency. Licensed A&P

staff will conduct annual inspections

. Maintenance l og books will be
maintained fo r each sUAS thereby achieving an equivalent level of safety.

• 14 C.F.R. § 91.9 (b) (2): Civil Aircraft Flight Manual in the Aircraft.

Ø Section 91.9 (b) (2) provides: No person may operate a U.S.

- registered civil aircraft ..(2) For which an Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual is not required by §21.5 of this chapter, unless

there is available in the aircra ft a current approved airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual, approved manual material, markings, and placards, or any combination thereof.

The sUAS, given their size and configuration have no ability or place to carry such a flight manual on the aircraft, n ot only because there is no pilot on board, but because there is no room or capacity to carry s uch an item on the aircraft pla tform

. The equivalent level of safety will be maintained by keeping the sUAS documentation at the ground control point where the PIC will have access to it. The FAA has issued the following exemptions to this regulation: Exemption Nos. 8607, 8737, 8738, 9299, 9299A, 9565, 95658, 10167, 10167A, 10602, 32827, and
10700.

• 14 C.F.R. 91.103

– Pre

- flight Action

Ø Each pilot in command shall , before beginning a flight, become familiar with all available information concerning that flight. This

information must include

- (paragraphs a, b, 1 and 2)

The PIC will take all actions, to include flight and mission planning, reviewing weather, flight battery requirements, safe take

- off and landing areas, and aircraft performance data before commencement of flight. In addition, the PIC will verify the sUAS is ready for flight by conducting a pre

- flight inspection and run up of systems and data

- link

co mmunications checks prior to each flight.

The exemption requested for this section is specifically addressed toward the requirements which do not apply to sUAS operations such as runways and air traffic control integration. The airport manager will
be noti fied and approval obtained prior to any operations being

executed less than five statute miles of an operating airport

.10 14 C.F.R. §91.109: Flight instruction

Ø Section 91.109 provides that no person may operate a civil aircraft (except a manned free balloon) that is being used for flight instruction unless that aircraft has fully functioning dual

controls.

sUAS and remotely piloted aircraft, by their design do not have fully functional dual controls. Flight control is accomplished through the use

of a radio t ransmitter or ground control station that communicates with
the air craft via a receiver in the sUAS . The FAA has approved exemptions for flight training without fully functional dual controls for a number of aircraft and for flight instruction in experimen tal aircraft. S ee Exemption numbers 5778K & 9862A. The equivalent level of safety provided by the fact that neither a pilo t nor passengers will be occupants in the aircraft and by the small size and slow speed of the
sUAS

.

• 14 C.F.R. 91.119

– Minimum Safe Altitudes
Ø Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: (c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

Section 91.119 establishes safe altitudes for operation of civil aircraft. Section 91.119 (d) allows helicopters to be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, provided the person operating the helicopter complies with any route or altitudes prescribed for helicopters by the

FA A. This exemption is for a sUAS and the exemption requests authority to operate at altitudes up to 500 AGL under neath navigable airspace and in class E and G airspace maint aining safe separation
from manned aircraft, an exemption may be needed to allow such operations.

The equivalent level of safety will be achieved given the size, weight, speed of the sUAS as well as the limited and controlled location where it is operated. Compared to flight operations with manned aircraft weighing far more than the maximum 55 pounds proposed herein, and the lack of flammable fuel, any risk associated with these operations is far l ess than those presently presented with conventional manned aircraft. In addition, the low

- altitude operations
of the sUAS will ensure separation between it and operations of conventional manned aircraft that must comply with Section 91.119.

• 14 C.F.R. §91. 121 Altimeter Settings

Ø This regulation requires each person operating an aircraft to11 maintain cruising altitude by reference to an altimeter that is set "... to the elevation of the departure airport or an appropriate altimeter setting available before dep arture."

As the sUAS do not have a n adjustable barometric altimeter an exemption is required. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by the PIC , confirming the altitude of the launch site via the sUAS
GPS

.

• 14 C.F.R. 91.151(a)

– Fuel Requirements for Flight in VFR
Conditions

Ø No person may begin a flight in an airplane under VFR conditions unless (considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel to fly to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising speed

— (1) During the day, to fly after that for at least 30 minutes;

This regulation is written based on the capabilities of a traditional aircraft which have flight times of several hours or greater; therefore, with the majority of sUAS which have flight times of only an hour or less, this regulation would effectively deny the ability of the air vehicle to operate.

To meet the intent, Aerial Sciences , will limit its sUAS flights to 6 0 minutes, or no less than 20% remaining battery power, which ever

occurs firs t, to ensure safe landing an d retrieval of the air vehicle and providing at least an equal level of safety. Similar exemptions have been granted to other operations, including Exemptions 2689F, 5745, 10673, and 10808.

• 14 C.F.R. §91.203 (a) and (b): Carryi ng Civil Aircraft Certification and Registration

Ø The regulation provides in pertinent part:

(a) Except as provided in§ 91.715, no person may operate a civil aircraft unless it has within it the following: (1) An appropriate and current airworthiness certif icate....

(b) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible t o
passengers or crew.

The sUAS fully loaded weighs no more than 55 lb s. a nd is operated without an onboard pilot. As such, there is no ability or place to carry certification and registration docum ents or to display them on the12 sUAS

. An equivalent level of safety will be achieved by keeping these documents at the ground control point where the PIC will have immediate access to them, to the extent they are applicable to the
sUAS. The FAA has issued numerous exemptions to this regulation. A representative s ample of other e xceptions includes Exemption
numbers 9565, 9665, 9789, 9789A, 9797, 9797A, 9816A, and 10700.

• 14 C.F.R. 91.405(a), 91.407(a)(1), 91.409(a)(2) and 91.417(a) & (b)

– Maintenance Inspections
Ø 91.405(a) States: Each owner or operator of an aircra ft

— (a) Shall have that aircraft inspected as prescribed in subpart E of this part and shall between required inspections, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, have discrepancies repaired as prescribed in part 43 of this chapter

.

Ø 91.407(a)( 1) States: (a) No person may operate any aircraft that has undergone maintenance, preventive maintenance, rebuilding, or alteration unless

— (1) It has been approved for return to service by a person authorized under § 43.7 of this chapter

.

Ø 91.409(a)(2) Sta tes: (a) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, no person may operate an aircraft unless, within the preceding 12 calendar months, it has had

— (2) An inspection for the issuance of an airworthiness certificate in accordance with part 21 of thi s chapter. No inspection performed under paragraph (b) of this section may be substituted for any inspection required by this paragraph unless it is performed by a person authorized to perform annual inspections and is entered as an ‘‘annual’’ inspection i n the required maintenance records.

Ø 91.417(a) & (b) States: (a) Except for work performed in accordance with §§ 91.411 and 91.413, each registered owner or operator shall keep the following records for the periods specified in paragraph (b) of this sectio n: (paragraphs 1 (i

– iii), 2 (i

– vi)); (b) The owner or operator shall retain the following records for the periods prescribed: (paragraphs 1

– 3)

Pre

- flight inspections and routine maintenance will be accomplished by

the PIC to ensure the sUAS is in go od working order prior to flight . If mechanical issues or emergency situations arise the sUAS can land immediately and given its small size poses very little risk to persons or property. Upon completion of any repair, modification or upgrade, the

aircraft is test flown by a qualified PIC and documented within the

ma intenance log book prior to return to service. Annual inspection s and maintenance will be conducted and documented within the sUAS13 maintenance log book by licensed A&P personnel to meet t he int ent of these regulations and provide an equivalent level of safety.

9

. Summary the FAA may publish in the Federal Register

Aerial Sciences seeks an exemption from the following Regulations: 14 C.F.R. Part 21; 14 C.F.R. 45.23(b); 14 C.F.R. 61.113(a)&(b); 9 1.7(a); 91.9(b) (2); 91.103; 91.109; 91.119; 91.121; 91.151(a); 91.203(a)&(b); 91.405(a); 91.407(a) (1); 91.409(a) (2); 91.417(a)&(b) to commercially operate its small
unmanned aircraft systems to support a variety of industry and business applications, to include, but not limited to, Aerial Survey/Inspection and Imaging, Agricultural, Forestry, Wildlife Preservation, Law Enforcement, and Search and Rescue, and Training

. Granting Aerial Sciences request for exemption will reduce current risk levels and the reby enhance safety.

Further, Aerial Sciences sUAS operates at lower altitudes , up to 500 feet AGL, in predetermined and controlled airspace

, weigh ing less than 55 pounds and traveling at speeds l ess than 50 knots. They will provide at least an equivalen t level of safety as that achieved under current FARs.

Aerial Sciences Corporation respectfully requests that the FAA grant its exemption request without delay. The FAA has the authority to issue the exemption sought by Aerial Sciences pursuant to the Federal Aviation Act, 85 P.L. 726 (1958), as amended (the "Act").

By__________________________ for: Aerial Sciences Corporation

David M. Garrett 5901 E. Lippizan Way Hereford, AZ 85615

Tel: 520.227.1865 david.garrett@msn.com